Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Gangnam Style

HistoryGangnam" means "south(nam) of the river(gang)" in Korean. In this song, the "river(gang)" is the Han River, which penetrates the City of Seoul, capital of South Korea. The northern part of Seoul(gangbuk) has been the capital of Korea since the early 15th century. Development of Gangnam and expansion of Seoul started in 1970s. Gangnam is the icon of the rapid economic development of South Korea in 1970s and 80s. Mostly benefited from skyrocketing real estate price followed by planned economic development, Gangnam has become the most wealthy area in the entire South Korea. "Gangnam" is being regarded as the place where people are rich, girls are pretty and everything is supposed to be cool.

1. "Inmate Gangnam Style"The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center— an unconventional prison in the Philippines that uses large-scale choreographed dance routines to rehabilitate its inmates — has already gone viral once before, with a version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" that has earned than 50 million views. Given their YouTube cred, it's no surprise that they've come up with a jumpsuit-clad take on Psy's hit. (viaGawker)

2. "Lifeguard Style"After their "Lifeguard Style" parody went viral, each of the 14 El Monte, Calif., lifeguards featured in this video was fired "for using city property, including the pool and their uniforms, for private use." Amid widespread public outcry, the city's mayor has called for an independent review of the hasty decision. (via The Huffington Post)

3. "Gangnam Style Mom"Offering proof that "Gangnam Style" is a multi-generational phenomenon, this video, shot with a stationary camera in a living room, showcases the impressive synchronized dancing talents of a mother-son duo. This unlikely "Gangnam Style" collaboration, reportedly Psy's favorite parody, earned its participants a guest spot on Ellen. (via CBS News)

4. "Nerdy Style"Popular YouTube performer JuzDin offers his own take: "Nerdy Style," an English-language parody in which he's tormented by bullies and rejected by women. "Call me a nerd, [but] I know how to fight like Yoda," sings JuzDin while brandishing a plastic light saber. (via BuzzFeed)

5. "Pony Gangnam Style"Horses feature prominently in the original "Gangnam Style" video, so it's only fitting that it has spawned a parody starring a particularly enthusiastic equine from the cartoon My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. (via The Wall StreetJournal)

6. "Navy Gangnam Style"
Crisply uniformed Navy midshipmen from Annapolis, Md., jive and thrust their way through the routine on docks and boats. And unlike the lifeguards who lost their jobs, these guys have earned Navy approval: A spokesman told an Annapolis newspaper that he's happy the video "has struck a chord with the American public." (via USA Today)

7. "Gandalf Style"Just in time to ride The Hobbit's hype, this parody features a man dressed as Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings. Enigmatically, thegray wizard ambushes seemingly unsuspecting people with the "Gangnam Style" dance at a Baskin-Robbins, a supermarket parking lot, and a kids' soccer game.(via Billboard)

8. "Baby Gangnam Style"A group of young moms and their tots star in this video, with one moppet even strapping on a pint-sized version of Psy's blue jacket and sunglasses. The video cleverly adapts unglamorous parenting chores — such as hauling bags of dirty diapers — to reference the seductive moves in Psy's video. (via Billboard)

9. "Gangnam Style — The Oregon Duck"Here, the University of Oregon mascot fills in for Psy, joined by a startling range of fellow dancers including Bigfoot, Yoda, and Kermit the Frog. But despite all the surprise cameos, the video's undeniable highlight comes when the Duck, in an apparent homage to comedian Gallagher, smashes a watermelon with a sledgehammer. (via The San Jose Mercury News)